Clamp



Patented Mar. 3l, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT 4oFFICE eniamin A. Tetzian, Riverside, lll. Application .Tune 1, 1940,' 'serial No. sassl 1Y0v Claims.

This invention relates to clamps adaptedffor telescopically securing a flexible or semi-flexible tubular connection, as for example, a hose, to a tubular connection, such' as a pipe or any other tubular fluid inlet or outlet connection.

Clamps of a character similar to that disclosed herein, including a flexible band trained through spaced parts of an arcuate bridge and adjustably associated with a nut supported on a tightening screw, have been heretofore made by me and used extensively in many applications where flexible tubular members were connected to pipes, conduits, and other tubular connections, and while these former constructions have proven satisfactory iny practically most (instances, the herein disclosed improvements embody certain features and advantages not found in these former constructions whereby a clamp of simple construction and comparatively greater efjlici'ency is attained, and which is adaptable for securely holding unusually high pressure hose connections.

One of the important objects of my invention resides in the provision of a metallic clamp having a heat-deilecting shield surrounding the clamp and spaced from practically the major portion of the clamp; such heat-deilecting shield being preferably provided with means for retaining it in fixed spaced position relatively to the clamp to thereby provide and maintain a suitable air space between the clampl and such shield whereby the heat from the shield may be more readily dissipated and direct transfer of heat by radiation and conduction reduced to a of low thermal conductivity, such as a pressed asbestos composition. .y

Among other novel objects and distinctive feal' tures of my invention are' the following: (a) Simplified construction of parts. (b) Provision of a clamp wherein the ends of the flexible clamp band are fixed to the nut,

as by welding, to prevent movement relatively to the nut which is supported on the tightening screw.

v(c) The floating bridge is not connected to, or adapted to embrace, the opposite flat faces of the clamp band; that is, the bridge is adapted for free movement unrestricted by any engagementwith the clamp band. l In former clamps of this type, the bridge element was provided at its end with bent portions arranged to overlap and embrace the opposite fiat.

faces of the clamp band, so that-in the,tigh

10 eration, but in precision elamping'operations the clamping pressureof theclamp may be measured, A

as by the use of a torque-indicating wrench, so that uniform and predetermined clamp pressures may be imposed upon the clamp-connected meml ber or members.

' (d) yIn clamps vwhich aresubjected to repeated detachment and' attachment, the band portions, which are bent andi-subjected to-,repeated bending, very often fracture at suchbent portions.

zo Thisdisadvantage Qis' overcome by my present floating bridge and band construction and arrangement whereby!` all bends in the band, at points which might be subjected to repeated bending, are obviated, thus permitting the use 2o of stainless steel, orA other special' alloy, bands which tend to vfracture in bending.

,(e) The length of. the'cord of the arcuate bridge base, when intightened or clamped position, is less than the clamped diameter of the 30 band, and its ends do not extend beyond the points of tangency or the points of mergence of the straight portionsof the band with the circular l intermediate portion of the band.

l(f) The end portions of the band are bent hori- 35 vzontally to lie in relativelyoverlapping position on top of the nut, and the bends in these end vportions occurv in spaced parallelplanes which are substantially coincidentwith 1.a pair of opposite sides of the mit; The terminus of the band.

n end horizontal portion, which is disposed betweenthe other horizontal bandend portion and the nut. does not extend'outwardly beyond the edge of the nut which is adjacent and parallel to such terminus, but preferably slightly inwardly of such edge. This feature affords bilateral symmetry in the arrangement of the rela. Atively oppositely angular disposed side band `portionsanfd insures retainment f the longitudinal center line of the screw coincident with the w vertical axis'of the clamp.

(a) The rotatable screw is provided,with a bearing at its point of support on the' bridge,

which bearing is of comparatively hard metal,

such as steel or bronze,to provide awear-resistant ins operation of the clamp. the embraced band as fiat surface for the annular surface of the screw end since the screw is preferably made of comparatively soft metal to permit it to be readily peened at its end against displacement from the bridge. This bearing may be made in the form of 'a flat perforated washer loosely supported or press-tted to the screwffend, or it may be welded to the bridge. l

With the above and other objects in view, my invention consists in the novel combination, construction and arrangement of the parts and members shown in preferred embodiments in the attached drawing, described in the following specifications, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawing:

Fig. 1 is an end elevation of my improved clamp and" shield embodying my invention;

f Fig. 2 is a side .elevation of same;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of same; l

Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical section of same;

Fig. 5 is an end view of the clamp portion;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the clamp shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the clamp portion;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged vertical section of the clamp portion shown in Figs. 5, 6` and 7; i

Fig. 9 is a partial vertical section showing the support for the end of the screw in a freely oating bridge; and

Fig- 10 illustrates a loosely supported heatdeflecting shield of lpreformed material of low thermal conductivity, such as press asbestos composition.

The clamp portion-shown more particularly in Figs. 5 to 8 inclusive, consists of a single band I2l of flexible metal, a nut I3 in threaded engagement with a screw I4, a bridge I5, and a bearing I6 for the end of the screw I4.

As shown in the illustrations, the clamp band I2 includes a substantially semi-circular ymedial portion II and substantially straight end portions I8 disposed-angularly upwardly to converge toward the nut I3, and terminating in relatively oppositely bent horizontally disposed I9, preferably disposed in overlapping position on top of the nut I3. The terminal portions I3 are spotwelded to the nut, as indicated by 2n in Fig. '1.

'I'he ends of termini I3 of the band could be i. shortened so as.to abut on a lateral center-line of the nut I3 in'the same manner as the heatdeectlng' shieldfas shown in Fig. 3, but I prefer to overlap such end portions, and to perforate same for the screw Il, so that the screw extends through the band ends. I9 and thereby provides an additional safety factor in the event the welds -were severed by any undue tension exerted on the band I2..

bend arrangement and substantially bilateral symmetrical disposition of the upwardly converging band portions Il relatively to the longitudinal and perpendicular axis of screw I4.

The bridge I5, which is constructed of a substantialmetallic stamping or casting, functions to bridge or' span substantially the full gap between the clamp-engaging circular band portion. The base portion 22 of the bridge is curved to conform to substantially the curve of the surface of the clamped member 23. The length of the arcuate bridge base portion 22 is such that its ends do not extend beyond the points of tangency at the mergence of the band medial portion I1 with the end portions I3 tov avoid forcing or crowding of the bridge ends in between the clamp band and the member being clamped and possibly thereby indenting the clamped member if made of comparatively soft material.

Although this type of clamp is preferably designed to fit a speciflc or predetermined clamped diameter of the member to be clamped, it may be applied to a member which may be of a slightly smaller diameter, in which case, or in the event of any unusual excessive tightening of the clamp, the'bridge ends may be brought into engagement with the band end portions I3; hence, the bridge base end portions 24 are thinned outwardly, as by swedging, to increase their flexibility and facilitate their forceful interposition between the clamped member andthe band I2.

To stilfen the bridge I5, the base portion 22 is formed integrally with spaced arcuate side walls 25 which also function to properly guide the bridge in its tightening movement since the outer end portions of these sides embrace the side edges of ,the clampband portions I3.

While the bridge I5 may be entirely free or floating, as indicated in Fig. 9, whereinthe conical end 25 of the screw I4 is positioned within the central perforation of the annular bearing 21, I prefer to provide a loose connection between the screw I4l and the bridge I5 so as to preventJaccidental loss or displacement of the bridge.

The bridge base 22 is provided with a diametrically outwardly upset perforated centrally disposed annular support 23, formed preferably with a flat annular face for support thereon of a suitable bearing 21, of steel or bronze, which is adapted to support thereon the flat annular face tends through the perforation of the bearing 21 In order to provide bilateral symmetry in design for the purpose of maintaining the longitudinal axis of the screw in a perpendicular position relatively to the horizontal axis of the clamp,

the bends in the band at theterminal portions yI!) occur in parallel vertical planes,which are' opposite sides of the nut I3. vIn the overlapping band end construction, one end 2|, of the band end which is disposed between the nut I3 and the other or upper band end, is shortened to extend inwardly of the top side edge of the nut I3,

as shown in Figs. 1, 4, 5 and 8, and the opposite corner edges of the upper face ofthe nut I3 may be slightly rounded to facilitate such equidistant into the perforation of the upset -support 23 wherein its terminus is peened to loosely interlock the screw Il with the bridge I5; the screw being freely rotatable in the support 28.

The annular disk-like bearing 21 may be loose- Iy mounted about the 'screw extension 29, or press-fitted tightly thereon. 'I'he bearing. 21 may also be welded to the upset bridge support 28.

'I'he heat-defiecting shield, generally indicated by numeral 30, is illustrated in its preferred embodiment in Figs. l to 4 inclusive, and, as shown, consists of a flexible band 3l of any suitable material, such as steel, or of any suitable flexible material of low thermal conductivity, such as a i pressed asbestos composition.

, The general contour of the shield conforms to that/of the clamp band I2; however, the width of the shield band is preferably greater than that of clamprband I2 to enhance its shielding effect.

As shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, the flexible shield of steel is held in spaced relation to the clamp band I2 by means of a pair of inwardly bent integral spaced portions 32, perferably weld-` ed, as at 33, to the clamp band i2. The ends 34 are bent inwardly into abutment with one another for support on the ends of the clamp band and preferably simultaneously welded together with the clamp band ends to the nut i3, as indicated by 35 in Fig. 3. l.

The ends ofthe shield 30 are, of course, provided with semi-circular openings for the screw Il.

In clamped connections which are stationary and not subject to be bodily moved, the heat-deiiecting shield 30 may be made of any suitable pre-formed material of low thermal conductivity, such as pressed' asbestos, as generally illustrated in 10, wherein the shield 301 is preformed in an endless band, perforated for the screw il for supporton the screw-endoi the clamp, and provided preferably with a pair of spaced inwardly deflected portions 36' for retaining the shield l 30 in spaced position relatively to the clamp.

My preferred design of a clamp of the type herein disclosed, when in ciampedposition, is

based upon the following formulae:

X=longitudinal axis of tightening screwor vertical axis of clamp.

C=horizontal axis oi clamp.

A distance from the 'vertical axis of the clamp to the center of radius of arcuate bend in one end of the band. y

B=distance from the vertical axis of vthe'clamp to the center of radius of arcuate bend.

D=line intersecting tangent point and center of clamp.

E=line intersecting center of clamp and end of bridge.

H=distance from vertical axis of clamp to center of radius of arcuate bend in one end of shield.

J :distance from vertical axis of clamp to center of radius of arcuate bend inY other end of shield.

li'ormulae The arc G is substantially equal to the arc F. The distance A is equal to the distance B. The distance H is equal to the distance J.

I claim: l. The combination with a clamp adapted for securing together a pair of telescoped members, of a heat-deilecting shield surrounding said clamp and supported on said clamp, said shield being disposed to deflect heat rays from impingement upon saidl clamp originating from A.a heat source which is external to said clarrm. n 2. The combination with a clamp adapted for securing together a pair of telescoped members, of a heat-defiecting shield surrounding said heat-defiecting shield composedof a nat strip of material disposed in spacedl relation to said clamping band, and means for securing the ends of said shield to said clamp, said shield being disposed to deflect heat rays from impingement upon said clamp originating from a heat source I which is external to said clamp.

5. The combination as embodied in claim 4, and including said shield comprising a, bandl of material which is wider than said clamping band.

6. The combination with a clamp comprising a nut, a single band of flexible metal having a. substantially semi-circular medial portion and substantially straight integral end 'portions disposed tangentially to said medial portion and angu- Y larly one to the other in an outwardly converging direction; said end portions of the band having ends bent angularly in relatively opposite directions and secured in xed position to one face of y said nut, a tighteningscrew having threaded engagementwith said nut, and an arcuate bridge adapted for actuation by said screw to tighten said band, said bridge including an arcuate base portion and radially outwardly disposed side walls formed integrally withV said base portion, the ends of said bridge base extending slightly outwardly of the `points of tangency of said straight band end portions with said band medial portion, and the radius of the bridge base being substantially equal to the radius of said medial portion'ofthe band, of a heat-deilecting shield having a portion thereof in supporting-engagement with said bent end portions of said band, and spaced portions of said shield bent inwardly into engagement with said clamp band whereby saidgshield is retained in spaced relation to the sides of said clamp band.

7. The combination with a clamp' comprising a nut, a single band of flexible metal having a substantially semi-circular medial portion andA 7 having ends bent angularly in relatively opposite directions and secured in iixed position to one face` of said nut, a tightening screw having threaded engagement with said nut, and an arcuate bridge disconnected from said-band and adapted for actuation by saidscrew to tighten said band, said bridge including an arcuate base -portion and radially outwardly disposed side walls formed integrally with said base portion, the ends of said bridge base extending to'the points of tangency of said straight lband en@ portions with said band medial portion when the clamp is tightened into final clamped position,

clamp and supported on said clamp, said shield having the greater portion of'its body spaced from the side portions of said clamp, said shield being disposed to deflect heat rays from im'pingement upon said clamp originating from a heat source which is external to said clamp.

3. The combination as embodied in claim 2 and including means for retaining said shield body in said spaced relation to said clamp side and the radius of the bridge base being substantially equal to the radius of said medial portion of the band, of a heat-deflecting shield supported about said screw in. spaced relation to the greater portion of said clamp band, said shield comprising a band of flexible material which is wider than said clamp band and having an integral f portion bent inwardly into engagement with said clamp band to retain the shield in spaced position from the side of theclamp band.

8. In a clamping device, for a hose or the like connection, which comprises a flexible strip of material having interconnected end portions and than said clamping strip to extend beyond the side edges of said clamping strip; and meansdisposed at spaced portions of said shield for re- 'taining said shield in spaced relationA to'said clamping strip; said tightening member extend-` ing outwardly through said shield and being operable to tighten or loosen said clamping strip without displacing said shield.

9. A clamping device for a hose orthe like connection comprising, a flexible band, an arcuate bridge' member, a threaded nut, -a tightening screw' extending through said nut into engagement with said bridge member', said band and said arcuate bridge'engaging portions of the circum- -ierence ofy the hose connection, said clamp band having portions in engagement with said nut, 'and a heat-deecting shield supported on said nut and disposed about, and spaced from, said clamp band, said tightening screw extending through said shield and being operable to tighten or loosen said clamp band without displacing said shield.

10. A clamping device for a hose or the .like connection comprising, a iiexible band, means for tighteningsaid band about said connection, and

a heat-deilecting shield supported on said band in spaced relation to the greater portion of said band, said shield being disposed between the hose connection and a source o1* heat external to the hose connection and said band-tightening means extending outwardly of said shield and be ing operable to tighten or loosen said band without displacing said shield.

BENJAMIN A. TEIZLAFF. 

